Self Care: Love Yourself Enough!

Self-love and self-care are terms of reference used all the time, but what do they actually mean?

When I asked this question to my family and friends, I received the following answers…. “Time out, going to the gym, saying nice words to yourself, getting your hair done, getting my nails done, wine with friends, reading a good book, alone ‘me’ time, my hobbies”. All these things sound amazing; Gentle, pleasing, relaxing, needed even!

But what about… “truth, healing, release, health” …the things that are not so pleasant or relaxing? The things that take their toll (especially emotionally). Are these may less of ‘Self-care and self-love.

Absolutely not!

Self-care is often seen or done as time to stop and recharge, but it is vitally important to ensure that self-care also means working with yourself in the deepest depths, to delve into the trauma, the pains of yourself. To connect with your shadow self, to asses and learn, to release and heal.

To me, there are really four types of self-care; time out, time in, time on, and time through.

Time out care – is a beach holiday. It’s the mental de-stressor. It’s the quality time with your family. It’s the smiles, laughter & memories. It’s the time spent with your best friend. It’s the recharge before getting back on the hamster wheel of life. It’s about mental health!

Time in care – is true healing. It’s feeling into your body where your trauma resides. It’s complete absorption in your body to ascertain your state of unbalance or dis-ease. It’s living your truth and expressing it. It’s about spiritual health!

Time on care – is looking after you! It’s the gym. It’s nutrition. It’s seeing a naturopath. It’s about being aware of your body and what it needs. It’s about physical health!

Time through care – is crying in the shower. It’s screaming in an open field. It’s groaning into your pillow. It’s staring at yourself in the mirror and promising yourself, never again. It’s rewarding yourself. It’s being proud and humble. It’s about emotional health!

Self-care is holistic. It is the process of putting yourself first to balance all aspects of your life. It’s about not being so hard on yourself all the time. It’s about finding that moderation. It’s about understanding that reading a good book, won’t fix things physically. It’s about realising that to heal from trauma you need to first acknowledge & release it. It’s about seeing yourself as whole & healed on all levels and that you’re a continuing work of progress.

For all the Mum’s and Dad’s reading this now…how many of you would instantly offer care to your child if needed. If they were upset, you would comfort them emotionally. You are conscious of what you feed them, for their physical health. You would encourage them and strength them, for their mental health and you would love them and remind them of their uniqueness, for their spiritual wellbeing. So – why do you not do it for yourself?

Love yourself enough to WANT to be balanced, then care for yourself enough to make it happen.

Belinda Hayes

Dedicated to healing and the science of energy, Belinda is committed to enriching people’s lives to allow them live their own version of happiness.

As a Reiki Master and accredited Crystal Healer and Teacher Belinda offers powerful and dedicated options of healing through various products and services as well as workshops and training courses.

As a mother of 2 beautiful children and a survivor and fighter…Belinda knows all too well the power of positive thinking and the ability of the mind to heal the body. She is passionate about the mind-body connection and holistic health from a spiritual, emotional, mental and physical perspective.